With a flick of the wrist and a delicate touch, Bailey Zappe did something no other NFL rookie quarterback has done in 2022: find the end zone.
Zappe’s score was shrouded in controversy, however; the game clock appeared to expire before the snap, meaning his connection with DeVante Parker should not have counted.
Overall, though, the Western Kentucky alum put together a largely flawless display. Zappe completed 10 of 14 passes for 99 yards and the touchdown. He didn’t turn the ball over. And he did enough to give the Patriots a chance to win at Lambeau Field.
Bailey Zappe is the 1st player to EVER make his NFL debut as a visitor at Lambeau Field and throw a TD pass in that game…
Lambeau opened in 1957 pic.twitter.com/D4JqReH0xp
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 2, 2022
MORE: Who is Bailey Zappe? Everything you need to know about the Pats rookie
Although the Pats fell 27-24 in overtime, Zappe’s name was on the lips of plenty of New England personnel after the game. Defensive leader Matthew Judon praised the rookie, revealing that Zappe hadn’t taken many snaps ahead of Sunday’s game.
Matthew Judon: No moral victories…huge shout out to Bailey Zappe. pic.twitter.com/2feoMHbK56
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 3, 2022
Coach Bill Belichick was more reserved in his judgment, but for a man of few public words, this is about as good as it gets from The Hoodied One:
Bill Belichick, asked to assess Bailey Zappe’s performance:
“Yeah. Good.”
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) October 3, 2022
Zappe was called upon to replace backup Brian Hoyer late in the first quarter after Hoyer went down with a head injury. It took him a little time to get things started — the Pats punted on three consecutive drives and then lost a fumble after Zappe was driven to the ground by Rashan Gary.
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Once he found his rhythm, New England was rolling. The Pats scored 17 points in the second half, seven on Zappe’s pass to Parker.
Bailey Zappe’s first career TD pass gives the @Patriots the lead!
📺: #NEvsGB on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/YPHqeLC4zg pic.twitter.com/tsVOmLA3Eq— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2022
Zappe went toe-to-toe with Aaron Rodgers on Sunday and, for much of the game, outplayed his opposite number.
It’s only one game, of course, and the Patriots are not in the most ideal position at 1-3. But in a season that has been increasingly filled with lowlights — poor performances, injuries and general frustration — Zappe stood out in a big way inside Lambeau Field. The Pats can’t ask for much more than that.